noun: an inordinately wild fight; a brawl
The use of the word stems from the Irish town of Donnybrook, which is now a suburb of Dublin. The town had a regular fair, which was infamous for its wild and rowdy events, which often led to public brawls. Thus, the word is used to describe any large, disorderly event where tempers flare and conflicts arise.
Interestingly, the term ordinates from the 13th Century English word coppe, which meant, of course, "spider".
Whist we refer to the term "spider web" to a web that is apparently still in use, we invariably use "cobweb" to refer to an old or abandoned web, particularly in attics or abandoned houses. It's often a staple form of decoration for haunted houses at Hallowe'en.
We can also refer to it to show confusion or that your memory is particularly hazy—you might want to "clean out the cobwebs" in an effort to clear your mind.
The name "bazooka" comes from an extension of the word "bazoo", which is slang for "mouth" or in certain circumstances "boastful talk".
Radio comedian Bob Burns is credited with inventing a musical instrument which he called a "bazooka" in the 1910s, and popularised it in the 1930s. It was a brass musical instrument several feet in length which incorporated tubing like a trombone (see picture). During World War II, the weapon was nicknamed "bazooka" as it vaguely resembled the instrument.
Nowadays we have all but forgotten the musical instrument. :(
However, it's interesting to note the word is still in use to advertise Bazooka bubble gum which was first marketed shortly after World War II in the U.S. by the Topps Company of Brooklyn, New York.
I am pretty sure you were unaware this actually had a name...
Or so the regular column in the Reader's Digest used to proclaim. Do you remember this magazine? Regretfully, after 86 years, Reader's Digest UK has just stopped printing this wonderful publication from May 2024. I guess this is just another sign of the times. Oh well...
As part of my semi-regular challenge to myself to blog every day for 26 straight days in August - I give you a list of some terrific words and how these can be used to increase your vocabulary. Enjoy!
Have a great summer!
